Ford's First 3-Cylinder Ever

For the first time in it's 108 year history, Ford Motor Company is selling a 3-cylinder engine in automobiles.

Debuting in the European 2012 Focus, the all-new 1.0-liter EcoBoost inline is being built in Cologne, Germany. After its entrance in the Focus, look for the innovative powerplant in upcoming C- and B-MAX Fords in Europe, and later, around the world.

Obviously designed as a fuel saving and low carbon emission engine, the 1.0 liter is available in 100 PS (99 bhp) and 125 PS (123 bhp) tunes. The 123 hp version produces a nominal 125 lb.-ft. of torque, with an overboost capability of 149 lb.-ft.

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Fuel consumption by the 1.0 liter in the Focus is rated as 5.0L/100km by Ford. That's 1.3 gallons per 62 miles in standard units, or roughly 47 mpg in North American terms.

While small, the 1.0-liter packs considerable technical innovation. A twin-cam, 4-valve, the 1.0 liter employs twin independent cam timing, direct gasoline injection, turbocharging, an off-set crankshaft and long connecting rods for reduced friction, along with an exhaust manifold integral with the cylinder head for rapid engine warm up.

Ford invested $200 million in a new high-tech production line at their Cologne plant to build the 1.0-liter; in early 2012 a second plant Craiova, Romania will come on line. Total European production capacity is 700,000 engines per year, but total world-wide production in the future is estimated at 1.3 million engines per year.